Pattern-switch for knitting-machines



No. 753,260. P'ATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

E. A; HIRNER. PATTERN SWITCH FOR KNITTING MAGHINBS. 'APPLIUATIOK FILED1mm. 7, 190;.

HO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-BHEBT 1- INVENTOR: 5 w. a N I M WITNESSES:

No. 753,260. PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

E. A. HIRNEB.

PATTERN SWITCH FOR KNITTING MAGHINES. I

' APPLICATION FILED DEG. T. 1901. I0 MODEL. I 2 SHEETS-BRIGHT 2-INVENTORQV WITNESSES;

UNITED STATES Patented March 1, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PATTERN-SWITCH FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 753,260, dated March 1,1904.

Application filed December 7, 1901. Serial No. 85,040. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMLL A. HIRNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Allentown, in the county of Lehigh and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPattern-Switches for Knitting-Machines, whereof the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a pattern-switch to be employed incircular-knitting machines whereby certain of the needles are raised toa higher level than the others and thereafter caused to pursue, duringat least a portion of the knitting operation, a different path than theothers, whereby special functions are performed by them.

My invention also relates to a switch-cam of special construction, whichI call a rotating jack-cam. As shown in the drawings, this rotatingjack-cam is used for the purpose of switching the needles up over thepatternswitch in such a way as to make it inoperative for the purpose ofseparating or sorting the needles. the pattern-switch intermittent inits action. It will, however, be understood that this rotating jack-camis aswitch-cam of general application for any of the numerous purposesin knitting machines where it is desired by throwing in the switch-camto cause all of the needles to be raised by it as they pass over it to ahigher level than that upon which they were running.

There are many varieties of switch-cams which have been invented for thepurpose just stated. The diificulty which arises in the construction ofsuch a cam is to make it accurately selective in its action at the timewhen it is being thrown into or out of action-that is to say, it mustnever leave "any needles only partly raised. The problem thus presentedis of particular difficulty at the time of throwing a switch-cam out ofaction. With most cams this involves leaving a series of needlesoccupying an incline between the upper and lower plane in which theymove. Needles in such an intermediate position are liable to run againstthe point of some succeeding cam 01' It is therefore used to renderbecomeinvolved in some other part of the apparatus, whereby their buttsare broken or trouble is otherwise caused.

The rotating jack-cam which I have invented is accurately selective initsaction and can never, either when going in or out of action,

leave any needles in aposition intermediate is a vertical cross-sectiontaken along the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2, showing the rotatingpattern-switch in section. Fig. & is a similar section taken along theline 4: 4:, Figs. 1 and 2, showing the rotating jack-cam in section.Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are detail views of the rotating jack-cam.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the interior of thecam-cylinder contains a race or groove formed by the ledge A, in whichthe hubs of the needles run, as in all circularknitting machines. Thisneedle-groove is interrupted by, knitting-cams, which may be of any ofthe usual varieties. As I have shown them, a; a are the pairedstitch-cams, Z) the top center cam, andc the bottom center cam. In aplane tangential to this groove and in the relation thereto which isillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is set the rotating pattern-switch D, withits upper segment projecting above the needle-groove A. This switchconsists of a wheel journaled in a block d, which is set on the base ofthe outside of the cam-cylinder, in proximity to which the wall of thecam-cylinder is removed sufliciently to allow the wheel to projectthrough it into contact'with the needle-hubs. On the other end of theshaft which carries the wheel D is a small gear-wheel (Z, which mesheswith acorresponding gearing thus described the wheel D is caused torotate at a rate which corresponds to the motion of the cam-cylinder.The periphery of the wheel D is furnished with two sorts of transversegrooves-namely, a series of small notches s, which are placed atintervals corresponding to the distance between the hubs of successiveneedles in the needle-cylinder, and aseries of larger recesses t, whichat stated intervals take the place of one or more of the small notches8. These larger recesses t have a depth equal to the height of thesegment of the wheel D which projects above the ledge A. They arepreferably enlarged circularly, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the hub of aneedle passing along the needle-groove A if it enters one of the largerecesses 6 will continue to run along the groove without alteration ofthe vertical position. On the other hand, the hub of a needle whichcomes in contact with one of the small notches s is positively lifted bythe wheel D as it rotates, owing to the engagement of the hub with thenotch, and is delivered by the wheel at .the level of its top.

Between the wheel D and the nearest stitchcam a is placed a triangularcam F, the apex of which is'directed toward the wheel and set with itspoint slightly below the top of the wheel. Needles the hubs of whichenter the larger recesses 6 pass along the groove and are deflected bythe cam F below the leading stitch-cam a, while needles the hubs ofwhich meet the notches s and are raised by the wheel are delivered bythe cam F above the point of the leading stitch-cam and are by it raisedpreparatory to their depression by the top center cam Z and thefollowing stitchcam a, as in ordinary knitting. The method of knittingby which certain of the needles are deflected into the groove below theleading stitch-cam, while others pass over it, forms small peripheralnotches s, in combination with means for positively rotating the wheelatthe proper rate 'of speed; By omitting the notches s, so that thesmooth peripheral surface of the wheel must raise the needles, a harshaction is occasioned by reason of the angle at which the needle-hubsfirst meet this periphery. It will be noticed, further, that if thewheel D were not positively rotated, but derived its motion only fromthe engagement of the needle-hubs with the small notches 8 otherdifficulties would be encountered, for there would'be a tendency to losethe proper relation between the wheel and the needlehubs, especially ifthe recess twere made broad enough to receive two needles. Furthermore,in an automatic stocking-knitter where at intervals during the knittingoperation a fashioning operation is to be performed it is not possibleto have the needle-hubs maintain the relation of the wheel D to theknitting operation, because during the enlargement and contraction ofthe active set of needles the proper relation is necessarily lost andthe pattern spoiled. WVhen it is desired to change the pat tern, thewheel D is removed and another one having the notches s and recesses tdifierently grouped is substituted therefor. The latchcam f, pivoted atthe base of cam F, allows needles traveling from the direction of thewheel D to pass freely under it. It serves to prevent needles travelingin the opposite direction (as during. reciprocation of the machine) fromcoming in contact with wheel D.

' I will now describe the rotating jack-cam,

which, as shown in the drawings, is soplaced as to be capable ofthrowing the pattern-switch mechanism into or out of action, wherebycourses or intervals of figured knitting may he succeeded by courses orintervals of plain knitting. This jack-cam is in the form of a disk G,set in a plane tangential to the needlegroove, with its upper segmentprojecting above the groove and in the relation to it which is shown inFigs. 1 and 2. The disk Gr consists of two similar and united circularplates g 9. Of these the inner plate g is partially cut away,

so that a portion (say about a quarter) of the periphery is altogetherlacking. The greater part of the intact periphery is fitted with teethIt at intervals corresponding to the distance between the needle-hubs.These teeth are succeeded by a smooth and partially-flattened surfaceit, which is itself succeeded by a single tooth if, after which thecut-away portion again recurs. The outer plate 9 has formed upon itsouter face two stop-holes 7' and carries two fixed pins 76 k. Thejack-cam is j ournaled in block H, set on the base of the outside of thecam-cylinder, in proximity to which the wall of the cam-cylinder isremoved suf,

ficiently to allow the projection through it of the jack-cam into theplane in which the needle-hubs travel. Within block H is also set thespring-projected stop-pin J, the rounded end of which falls into thestop-holes j j as the jack-cam rotates. These stop-holes have anelongated edge on the advancing side,whereby, although the entrance ofthe stop-pin into them is abrupt, its exit is easily accomplished.

The pins kk are farther from the center of the disk than the stop-holes,and an annular groove n is cut in the face of the block H, within whichthey rotate. This groove is interrupted atone point by the insertion ofan oscillating block Z, having-a diagonal groove Z cut in that facewhich is opposed to the jackcam. The oscillating block Z is pivotedwithin block H and has an outwardly-projecting arm Z to the end of whichis pivoted a link M, the other end of which is pivoted-to the.

. pivotal attachment to the arm Z by its tenhubs.

' When, however, it is desired to prevent the sion maintains the block Zin the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, where the diagonalgroove Z completely interrupts the annular groove n, so that rotation ofthe jack-cam is prevented by contact of one of the pins it is with theside of the diagonal groove Z. The pins k k are set so that thisstoppage of the jack-cam occurs in two positions, the first of which (inwhich 70 is in the groove Z) is shown in Fig. 5, while the second (inwhich is is in the groove) is that shown in Fig. 6. In both of thesepositions the jack-cam while held from forward rotation by the pins Z; kis held from backward rotation by the entrance of stop-pin J into one ofthe stopholes j which oppose their abrupt edges to such backward motion.The position of Fig. 5 is that in which the jack-cam is whollyinoperative, because its cut-away portion is uppermost and offers noresistance to the continued travel of the needle-hubs along the level ofthe ledge A, which level is indicated by the dotted lines A A of thefigure. Itis true that, as shown in Fig. 5 and also in Fig.2,the farcorner of the jack-cam, carrying the single tooth 7L projects slightlyabove the level of the ledge A, upon which the hubs of the needles run;but this does not disturb the operation of the machine, because,

as shown more clearly in Fig. l, the disk G is so set in relation to thewheel of the camcylinder that this far corner of the jack-cam is removedbeyond the reach ofthe needlemains in this position the needle-hubstravel along the ledge continuously until they meet the pattern-switch Dand are by it sorted in accordance with the pattern to which it is out.

further action of the pattern-switch, the jackcam is thrown intooperation. This is effected by an oscillation of block Z, effected bypressure upon the projecting end of lever m,

which communicates its motion through the link M to the oscillatingblock. Such pres sure may be applied by a cam-surface pre-' sented inproper relation to the cylinder as it revolves and capable of beingmoved into and out of operation at proper intervals. This cam-surfaceand the method of'its operation,

As long, therefore, as the jack-cam rewhich is in engagement with itsufliciently to compel it to clear the other end of the groove, wherebyit is delivered into the annular groove n. upon the farther side of theoscillating block. This movement effects a sufiicient partial rotationof the jack-cam to bring one or more of the teethon its intact portionabove the level of the ledge A, whereupon the contact of the advancingneedle-hubs with these teeth continues the rotation of the jack-camuntil the other pin, 72, comes in contact with the oscillating block Z,which has in the mean time returned to its normal position. This effectsthe stoppage of the jack-cam inthe position of Fig. 6, where, as will beobserved,

without sorting. When now the time comes to again throw switch D intooperation, the pressure is again applied to the lever m,whereupon theoscillation of block Z thus effected slightly advances the rotatingjack-cam, bringing the single notch if above the level of the ledge A.This is engaged by the first advancingneedle, which rotates the jack-camuntil'its further motion is stopped by the pin k. Inthe course of thisrotation the single needle, which has engaged the notch [this raised tothe level which removes it from the operation of the switch D; but allthe succeeding needles passing over the cut-away; portion of thejack-cam proceed without change of level and are therefore within therange of the operation of the switch D. By the operation of the jack-cam,thus described it is possible to throw its camincline into and out ofoperation at intervals without ever leaving any needles in a positionintermediate between the highest and lowest level which mark its fieldof operation.

The rotating jack-cam admits of great variation in its details, theessential element being the rotating partially-cut-away discoid caminterposed segmentally in the needle.- groovei By the phrase interposedsegmentally, as used here and in the claims, I mean the interposition ofthe wheel in the needle-groove in such a way that the normal continuanceof the needle-groove would divide the wheel into segments and with itsplane tangential to the periphery of the needle-cylinder. Having thusdescribed my invention, I

ery at intervals corresponding to the spaces.

between the needle-hubs; a fixed rack outside the cam-cylinder; a pinionengaging said rack mounted on a shaft which carries another pinion whichengages a third pinion upon the aXis of the wheel, whereby its outersegment is caused to rotate in the same direction as the travel of theneedle-hubs and at the same speed, substantially as described.

2. In a circular-knitting machine, the combination of the cam-cylinderhaving a needlegroove with stitch-cams interposed therein; apattern-switch consisting of a wheel the upper part of which isinterposedsegmentally in the needle-groove alongside of the, leadingstitchcam, said wheel having small notches cut in I its periphery bywhich the needle-hubs are delivered over the leading stitch-cam andlarge recesses cut in its periphery by which the needle-hubs aredelivered below. the leading stitch-cam, substantially as described.

3. In a circular-knitting machine. a rotatingdiscoid caminterposedsegmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder; a part of saiddisk, not less than the segment cut off by the cam-groove, being cutaway; in combination with means for intermittently rotating said cam soas to present at intervals to the needles, either the intact or thecut-away portion, whereby the transition of the cam from one portion tothe other can never leave any needle in a position intermediate betweenthe extreme planes bounding its sphere of action, substantially asdescribed. 1

4. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid, cam interposedsegmentally in the needle-grooveof the cam-cylinder; a .part of saiddisk, substantially equal to the segment cut ofl by the camgroove, beingcut away;

in combinationwith means for intermittently rotating said camso ,as tovpresent atintervals.

to the needles, either the intactor the cutaway'portion, whereby thetransition of the.

cam from one position tothe other can never 1eave.any needle in aposition intermediate between the extreme planes bounding its sphere ofaction, substantially as described.

5. In a circular-knitting machine, apatternswitch consisting of agrooved. wheel interposed segmentally in the needle-groove of thecam-cylinder, whereby certain of the needles are raisedv to a higherlevel than the others; in combination with a jack-cam consisting of apartially cut-away rotating disk also interposed segmentally in theneedle-groove of the cam-cylinder, whereby the pattern-switch isrendered intermittent in its action, substantially as described.

6. In a circular-knitting machine,the combination of mechanism operatingupon the needle-hubs of the. needle-groove for sorting said needlesaccording to a set pattern; a rotating jackcam, also set in theneedle-groove, consisting of a disk having part of its periphery cutaway; and mechanism for partially 7 In a circular-knitting machine, thecombination of mechanism, operating upon the needle-hubs within theneedle-groove, for sorting said needles according to a set pattern; arotating jack-cam, also set in the needlegroove, consisting of a diskhaving part of its periphery cut away, and the intact portion toothedwith a smooth cam-surface intervening among the teeth; mechanism foradvancing the disk one or more teeth at set intervals; and stops wherebyits further rotation by the action of the needle-hubs is caused to ceasealternately at the cut-away portion and at the smooth cam-surface, theformer leaving all of the needles within reach of the sorting mechanismand the latter throwing all of them out of reach of the sortingmechanism, substantially as described.

8. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid cam interposedsegmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, the periphery ofsaid discoid cam presenting successively a cut-away portion, a singletooth, a partiallyflattened cam-surface, and a series of teeth,substantially as described.

9. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid cam interposedsegmentallyin the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, having a cut-awayportion, a toothed portion, and acam portion which occupies the balanceof its periphery, substantially as described.

10. In a circular-knitting machine, arotating discoid cam interposedsegmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, having a cut-awayportion not less than its projecting segment, and a cam portion; meanswhereby it is normally sustained at rest with either the cut-awayportionor the cam portion opposed to 'the advancing line of the needles; andone or more teeth intervening betweenthe cam portion and the cut-awayportion at either side, whereby a slight motion of rotation given itcauses a tooth to meet the advancing needles, whereby its furtherintermittent-rotation for the reversal of its position is effected bythe needles themselves, substantially as described.

11. In a circular-knitting machine, a rotating discoid caminterposedsegmentally in the needle-groove of the cam-cylinder, having acut-away portion, and also a cam portion of which the part which firstmeets the advancing line of needles is flattened, substantially asdescribed.

12. In acircular-knitting machine, a switchcam consisting of apartialsegment of a disk pivoted below theneedle-groove of the camcylinder in aplane tangential to the periphery ery forms a earn-incline which raisesthe neeof the needle-cylinder; in combination with dies above theneedle-groove, substantially as means for rotating said segmentupon itspivot described.

either to a position Where it is Whollybelow. V EMIL A. HIRNER. theneedle-groove, whereby the needles are Witnesses:

allowed to pass it Without action, or further JAMES H. BELL,

to a position whereby a portion of its periph- E. REESE.-

